Presentation by Hieu Minh Ly 2010 Nuffield Scholar. Conversion from soil to hydroponic production in protected cropping

Transcription

1 Presentation by Hieu Minh Ly 2010 Nuffield Scholar Conversion from soil to hydroponic production in protected cropping

2 WITH THANKS TO Horticulture Australia Limited

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4 LY HYDROPONICS Greenhouse soil growers for 20 years

5 LY HYDROPONICS Greenhouse soil growers for 20 years Grew Tomatoes, Capsicums and Cucumbers

6 Before ha of basic glasshouses

7 2007 Left with only 0.7Ha (7000sq/m)

8 2008 first greenhouse was medium tech plastic 3m to the gutter No heating, basic ventilation Summer production

9 second greenhouse built High-tech 5m to the gutter polycarbonate Based on Venlo type greenhouse from Europe

10 TODAY 2011 Rebuilt first greenhouse to 5m 2.8mw coal briquette boiler Recycling system All year production

11 Only Grow Truss Tomatoes

12 Study topic Benefits of converting to hydroponics Why take the plunge

13 Study topic Benefits of converting to hydroponics Why take the plunge Capital costs for technology Low, medium and high-tech How achievable are grower s goals

14 Study topic Benefits of converting to hydroponics Why take the plunge Soil Vs. Soilless Capital costs for technology Low, medium and high-tech How achievable are our goals Limitations Can Virginia sustain the industry

15 IS IT TRULY HYDROPONIC? Media based Coconut husk Rockwool Dripper system Mini pot plant

16 NFT

17 SOIL PRODUCTION Farmed since 1960s 50y.o. greenhouses short crops of tomatoes (6months) No fallow period Pests/Diseases

18 NOT AGAINST SOIL Excellent quality with good yields

19 NOT AGAINST SOIL Excellent quality with good yields Inexpensive

20 NOT AGAINST SOIL Excellent quality with good yields Inexpensive Less Labour

21 NOT AGAINST SOIL Excellent quality with good yields Inexpensive Less Labour Less risks involved

22 NOT AGAINST SOIL Excellent quality with good yields Inexpensive Less Labour Less risks involved Lifestyle

23 WHY CONVERT THEN? 5% of farms every year Mostly low tech Advanced irrigation systems No climate control No recycling of waste water Production limited

24 LOW-TECH GLASSHOUSE

25 HI-TECH Holland Germany UK France Japan Singapore USA USA France Ukraine Bahrain Turkey

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27 1Ha low tech greenhouses can be converted for $150,000 1Ha hi-tech is approximately $2million

28 Hydroponic Vs Soil Harvest sooner

29 Hydroponic Vs Soil Harvest sooner Longer season 9months instead of trusses not (per year)

30 Hydroponic Vs Soil Harvest sooner Longer season 9months instead of trusses not (per year) Recirculation 40% water 60% fertiliser $37,000 savings

31 Hydroponic Vs Soil Harvest sooner Longer season 9months instead of trusses not (per year) Recirculation 40% water 60% fertiliser $37,000 savings GET OUT OF THE SOIL

32 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH $150,000

33 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH HI-TECH $150,000 $2,000,000

34 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH HI-TECH $150,000 $2,000,000 30KG/SQ/M

35 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH HI-TECH $150,000 $2,000,000 30KG/SQ/M 60KG/SQ/M

36 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH $150,000 30KG/SQ/M HI-TECH $2,000,000 60KG/SQ/M 1Ha at $2kg $600,000

37 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH $150,000 30KG/SQ/M 1Ha at $2kg $600,000 HI-TECH $2,000,000 60KG/SQ/M 1Ha at $2kg $1,200,000

38 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH Net income of 30% $180,000

39 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH HI-TECH Net income of 30% Net income of 25% $180,000 $300,000

40 WHAT ARE THE RETURNS? LOW-TECH HI-TECH Net income of 30% Net income of 25% $180,000 $300,000 Farming is NO longer a lifestyle but a business

41 Struggle to maintain quality Higher chance of mistakes Cheaper equipment prone to damage More uniform climate Production stabilised throughout year Labour easier to find

42 Limitations Virginia is aging rapidly Immigrants from the 1980s retiring Children don t want to be farmers

43 Limitations Virginia is aging rapidly Immigrants from the 1980s retiring Children don t want to be farmers High capital costs

44 Limitations Virginia is aging rapidly Immigrants from the 1980s retiring Children don t want to be farmers High capital costs Infrastructure Gas, water, council restrictions

45 Limitations Virginia is aging rapidly Immigrants from the 1980s retiring Children don t want to be farmers High capital costs Infrastructure Gas, water, council Land prices skyrocketing Out of reach for new immigrants

46 Conclusions Hydroponics is the future of protected cropping in Australia. Bring life back into the Adelaide plains There will always be a market for soil and field crops

47 Recommendations for the industry Recycling of waste water to be made mandatory Integrated Pest Management programs to be subsided Tomato levy to be introduced

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50 THANKYOU